MOVIE MINIS

NOW PLAYING “Daughters of the Dust”

Review not available in time for publication. At the turn of the 20th century, a Gullah family prepares for its migration to the North while attempting to preserve the traditions and folklore of their African roots. This is a digital restoration on the film’s 25th anniversary. Starring Alva Rogers, Bahni Turpin and Barbara O. Directed by Julie Dash. Rated PG. At Landmark’s Midtown Arts. 1 hour, 52 minutes.

“The Eagle Huntress”

B A 13-year-old Mongolian girl becomes the first to enter the national hawk-hunting competition despite the skepticism of the elder men in her tribe. The documentary is wonderfully realistic and the narrative is simple. Starring Aisholpan Nurgaiv and Rhys Nurgaiv. Directed by Otto Bell. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated G. At Tara Theatre. 1 hour, 27 minutes.

“Man Down”

C A Marine returns home after battling in Afghanistan only to find his wife and son are missing, but he and a friend discover someone who knows their whereabouts. The timelines and genres are meant to give a tension, but it’s so laborious that interest is drained long before we figure out what’s going on. Starring Shia LaBeouf, Kate Mara, Jai Courtney and Gary Oldman. Directed by Dito Montiel. (Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Rated R for some disturbing violence, strong language throughout. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 32 minutes.

“Manchester by the Sea”

A

man is called back to his New England hometown to help deal with a crisis, which forces him to reconnect with his brother and a painful past. It’s a character-driven film that will leave you speechless and weepy. Starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams and Kyle Chandler. Directed by Kenneth Lonergan. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated R for language throughout and some sexual content. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 15 minutes.

STILL SHOWING “The Accountant”

C+ A high-functioning math savant has a lucrative side business as a forensic accountant for a few scary people and the government is working to uncover his identity. It’s more potboiler thriller than prestige picture, but it’s fun to watch Ben Affleck in this against-type performance. Also starring Anna Kendrick and Jon Bernthal. Directed by Gavin O’Connor. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for strong violence and language throughout. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 8 minutes.

“Allied”

C+ An intelligence officer meets a French Resistance fighter behind enemy lines in 1942 and when they are reunited, their relationship is threatened by the pressures of war. The film is missing the emotion to make it truly effective and emotionally wrenching despite the sorrows involved. Starring Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard. Directed by Robert Zemeckis. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for violence, some sexuality/nudity, language and brief drug use. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 1 minute.

“Almost Christmas”

C+ A father brings his children and their families back to the homeplace to celebrate the holidays and there are the standard holiday comedy moments. The film is a bit scattered, but it encompasses all the highs and lows that make the holidays what they are. Starring Danny Glover, Mo’Nique and Gabrielle Union. Directed by David E. Talbert. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for suggestive material, drug content and language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 52 minutes.

“Arrival”

A

linguistics professor is called to help translate communications between humans and the aliens that are hanging out above the earth. It’s stunningly photographed and is guaranteed to trigger panic attacks. Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker. Directed by Denis Villeneuve. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated PG-13 for brief strong language. At metro theaters. 1 hours, 56 minutes.

“Bad Santa 2”

D+ The criminal Santa and his sidekick are back to knock off a charity in Chicago, but things get sticky with “the kid,” who brings out their humanity and a lusty charity director with a heart of gold. The film has the static look of a low-rated network sitcome with a very muddled plot. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates and Christina Hendricks. Directed by Mark Waters VIII. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated R for crude sexual content and language throughout, and some graphic nudity. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 32 minutes.

“Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”

C+ A group of young vets are honored at a Thanksgiving football game and through flashbacks, the film shows their experiences in Iraq, including the firefight in which they become heroes. The film is scattered, missing connective tissue, unfocused. Starring Joe Alwyn, Kristen Stewart and Garrett Hedlund. Directed by Ang Lee. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for language throughout, some war violence, sexual content, and brief drug use. At Regal McDonough Stadium. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“Birth of a Nation”

C+ In 1831 Nat Turner led an armed revolt in Virginia, freeing dozens of fellow slaves and killing many white men, women and children in a two-day riot. A retelling of American history that’s bluntly effective and beautifully acted, but has its drawbacks. Starring Penelope Ann Miller and Gabrielle Union. Directed by Nate Parker. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated R for disturbing violent content, and some brief nudity. At Austell Stadium and Regal Snellville Oaks. 2 hours.

“Bleed for This”

C+ This is based on the true story of Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Pazienza, a boxer who won two world title fights before breaking his neck in a car accident. A trainer helps him return to the ring just a year after the accident. It’s a basic boxing biopic that’s a bit overly busy and cliche. Starring Miles Teller, Aaron Eckhart and Katey Sagal. Directed by Ben Younger. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for language, sexuality/nudity and some accident images. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 56 minutes.

“Boo! A Madea Halloween”

Review not available in time for publication. Madea fends off killers, paranormal poltergeists, ghouls and zombies on Halloween. Starring Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis and Patrice Lovely. Directed by Tyler Perry. Rated PG-13 for drug use and references, suggestive content, language, some horror images and thematic material. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 43 minutes.

“Doctor Strange”

A Marvel Comics character Dr. Stephen Strange is an accomplished surgeon when an accident leaves his hands mangled and his attempts at unorthodox healing unlocks mystical powers. The script is perfectly balanced and moves from the intimate to the fantastical without pause. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Rachel McAdams. Directed by Scott Derrickson. (Rick Bentley, Fresno Bee) Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action, violence. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 10 minutes.

“The Edge of Seventeen”

B+ A teen girl is in a tornado of angst when her older brother begins dating her best friend, but then she finds unexpected friendship with a thoughtful boy. The film takes teens seriously and sends the message they deserve to be treated with love, support and a whole lot of humor. Starring Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson and Blake Jenner. Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for sexual content, language and some drinking — all involving teens. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 44 minutes.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”

B+ A boy smuggles in beasts that are outlawed in the U.S. magical world, but the creatures prove useful just in time to battle a deadly force wreaking havoc on the cobblestone streets of New York. The film is transporting, but its themes are far from escapist — embrace, don’t suppress, one’s unique qualities. Starring Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston and Colin Farrell. Directed by David Yates. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for some fantasy action violence. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 13 minutes.

“The Girl on the Train”

B A woman goes on a bender after a perceived betrayal and then has to piece together what happened the night she drank too much. The film aptly demonstrates the way in which the truth can be blinkered to fit a unique reality. Starring Emily Blunt, Justin Theroux and Luke Evans. Directed by Tate Taylor. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for violence, sexual content, language and nudity. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 52 minutes.

“Hacksaw Ridge”

B A man who won’t touch a rifle due to his religious beliefs enlists as a medic in World War II and — despite refusing to fire — goes into the battlefield again and again to save “just one more” wounded man. The violence is difficult to process, but is effective and affecting. Starring Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer and Hugo Weaving. Directed by Mel Gibson. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for intense prolonged realistically graphic sequences of war violence including grisly bloody images. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 11 minutes.

“Inferno”

C The third film in the trilogy finds Professor Robert Langdon trying to decipher a coded image of Dante’s Inferno and link it to a billionaire bioengineer. The cast is great, but the twists in the story keep coming, at the expense of the plot’s structural integrity. Starring Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones and Irrfan Kahn. Directed by Ron Howard. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence, disturbing images, some language, thematic elements and brief sensuality. At Regal Hollywood Stadium, Regal Snellville Oaks and AMC Southlake. 2 hours, 1 minute.

“Jack Reacher: Never Go Back”

C+ The character in Lee Child’s novels roams the land solving crimes when he finds out he has a child and ends up needing to protect her from the bad guys who are after him. This is the kind of action film where the simpler moral story sits on top of the larger, twistier, but essentially unimportant plot. Starring Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders and Danika Yarosh. Directed by Edward Zwick. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some bloody images, language and thematic elements. At Austell Stadium, GTC Park 12 and AMC Colonial. 1 hour, 58 minutes.

“Kevin Hart: What Now?”

C+ The comedian’s fifth stand up film since 2009 has him selling out Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. He has matured and so has his material and he’s aided by a sophisticated stage production. Starring Kevin Hart, Halle Berry and Don Cheadle. Directed by Leslie Small and Tim Story. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for some sexual material, and language throughout. At Austell Stadium and Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 1 hour, 36 minutes.

“Loving”

B Based on the famous 1967 Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court case, the film stays away from the court drama and focuses on the quiet nature of the couple instead. It feels a bit underheated, but the actors provide enough fire to make it heartwarming. Starring Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga and Michael Shannon. Directed by Jeff Nichols. (Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Rated PG-13 for thematic elements. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 3 minutes.